(» ANI.MAL CASTRATION 



staiidiug- cliroiiif cases tlie uord is surroiiudecl bj^ dense adhesions. A 

 genuine scliirrons eord never reduces in size spontaneously, but has a 

 tendency to grow larger and liecome harder. 



Cause — There are two principal reasons for this seiiuela of castration. 



1. Tlie operator leaving the stump of the cord snfficieritly long to be 

 caught between the lips of the scrotal incisions dnriiig the liealing process. 

 This, of course, strangulates the cord and causes it to enlarge and harden. 



2. Infection either actinomycotic, streptococcic, or botrj'omycotic. This 

 accouiits for the constant pus discharge and numerous abscesses that make 

 their appearance from time to time. Either ignorance or carelessness on 

 the part of the operator is responsible for this condition. By removing 

 enough cord and practicing cleanliness at the outset, sehirrous cord would 

 be to a large degree eliminated. The development ol sehirrous cords was 

 largely reduced when the eniasculator superseded the old-style clamp 

 method of operating. 



Treatment — In the acute stage of development — which means two to six 

 weeks after castration — the scrotal region should be frequently cleansed 

 l)y wasliing. The scrotal wound itself sliould be painted once every two 

 days with tincture of iodin. Dni'ing this period it is well to give iodic! of 

 potash in four-dram doses once a day. If at the end of six weeks the 

 tumefaction still persists, the radical operation — which consists in total 

 ablation — is justified and in fact indicated. 



liestraiitt — Same as for ridgling castration, see page 46. 



Position — Dorsal. 



General Anesthesia is always indicated wlien i30ssilile, as tlie operation 

 is extremely painful and usually prolonged for a considcralile length of 

 time in order to control hemorrhage. 



Instruments, etc. — 



1. Ecrasenr (Fig. 41). 



2. Threaded needles for ligating blood-vessels, suturing the skin incision 



and ligating the cord if for any reason the ecraseur fails to 

 sever it. 



3. (Sterile gauze in liberal amount. 



4. Hemostatic forceps (several pairs). 



5. Sharj) scalpel. 



6. Yulselhnn forceps (Pig. 56.) 



7. Tlnnnb tissue forceps. 



Sterilization of Instruments, Cleansinfj Operator's Hands anel Field of 



Operettion — Same as f"r castration of the stallion. (Images 20, 21.) 



Operative Technic — With the field of operation, operator's hands, and 



instruments sterile and the animal in a dorsal position, proceed to operate 



as follows: AA^ith the scalpel make two curved elliptical incisions (D, Fig. 



